Overview of heart rate monitors for swimming, types of handheld heart rate monitors for swimming

What are heart rate monitors for?
What are heart rate monitors
- With integrated sensor
- With remote sensor
How to choose a heart rate monitor for swimming
Top 5 waterproof heart rate monitors

During physical activity, a person’s pulse changes dramatically. To understand in what mode the body works and to avoid overtraining, it is necessary to constantly monitor the frequency of the heart. If classes are held in water, it is better to use a special heart rate monitor for swimming.

For those involved in water sports, it is important to protect the gadgets not only from moisture, but also from water pressure. That is why it is so important to choose not universal, but specialized equipment.

This article will describe the main types of heart rate monitors and compiled the top 5 best waterproof heart rate sensors.

What are heart rate monitors for?

Most often, the heart rate monitor is used in cardio and interval training, but with power loads, its readings will be very important. With the help of heart rate control, you can strengthen the circulatory system, control the intensity of training and achieve your goals faster.

But such a gadget is needed not only by swimmers. It performs several more useful functions:

protection of the sensor from water in open reservoirs;
protection of the heart rate monitor from rain while running;
protection of the sensor from sweat during power loads and training in the gym.

Waterproof heart rate monitor

What are heart rate monitors

Waterproof heart rate monitors are present in the entire line of heart rate monitors and are available in various forms.

With integrated sensor

The heart rate scanner and the display that displays the information are in the same device. Their indicators are considered more accurate, and the functionality is more diverse. There are two of the most popular location options for these heart rate sensors:

On the finger. It has the shape of a volumetric ring. More suitable for stationary use. It has a small set of functions and is inconvenient for constant wear.
On the wrist. Available as a watch or bracelet. The most popular and convenient type of heart rate monitor. Suitable for round-the-clock use. Often, in addition to the heart rate control function, it can count steps, distance traveled and calories burned.

With remote sensor

It receives heart rate information and transfers to a paired device (PC, smartphone or watch) using Bluetooth or ANT +. There are several mounting options for these devices:

On the wrist. Fastens on a hand in the form of a bracelet or on a bicycle glove. The pulse data may be incorrect due to hand movements that the sensor perceives as steps.
Headphones. Designed for running fans, it allows you to simultaneously receive heart rates and listen to your favorite music.
On the finger. It has the shape of a clothespin worn on the extreme phalanx of the finger. The optical sensor, responding to a pulsation of blood, transmits the measurement results to a smartphone or remote display.
Breastplate. The most popular option for attaching a gadget, which is fixed on the chest with an elastic tape.

For those involved in swimming, two options will be most suitable: a smart bracelet (or watch) and chest heart rate monitor. They do not constrain movements, do not slide off the body in the pool and provide the most accurate data.

Chest Heart Rate Monitor

How to choose a heart rate monitor for swimming

Before you get an assistant for sports, you need to decide which functions are useful for classes, and what you need to pay special attention to. As the main selection criteria, it is worth noting:

cost;
accuracy of measurements;
number of functions;
reasonable design;
application interface;
degree of moisture protection;
battery life;
equipment.

In addition to the parameters described, important requirements are imposed on the pool heart rate monitor:

reliable fastener not to lose the sensor in water;
high level of water resistance according to the IP index: from IP65 (protection against low-pressure water jets) to IP69 (protection against long-term immersion and steam-jet cleaning).

Particular attention should be paid to the set of built-in functions of the heart rate monitor. In addition to the ability to control heart rate, modern gadgets may have a number of necessary characteristics:

GPS tracker with the ability to display the route and distance traveled;
Calculation of calories burned
stopwatch, the ability to set time intervals;
saving the history of training;
amplitude and average heart rate;
time and date display;
signal about exceeding the limits of the pulse;
synchronization with a smartphone or PC.

Waterproof Wrist Heart Rate Monitor

Top 5 waterproof heart rate monitors

Xiaomi MiBand 2

The most budget bracelet in the ranking, which can compete in functionality with more expensive and popular models. The bracelet monitors the heart rate. Controls activity time, calories and sleep phases. High measurement accuracy of up to 95% is achieved by a high-tech optical sensor.

MiBand performs not only the functions of a sports bracelet, but also informs the owner about calls and messages from the smartphone connected with it. Also, the device is protected not only from moisture and dust, but also able to withstand bumps and drops.

But, despite a more than impressive set of characteristics, the bracelet is not suitable for professional swimmers. Most likely, he will be liked by those who are just starting to move to the sports peaks.

Xiaomi MiBand 2

Price: 1700 rub.

Moisture protection class: IP67

Compatibility: iOS7 / Android 4.3

Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, optical heart rate monitor

Display: no

Functions: heart rate, pedometer, distance traveled, calories burned, sleep monitoring, notification of messages and calls.

Autonomy: 20 days

Mount Type: Bracelet

Weight: 7g.

Misfit shine

The main difference between the gadget and competitors is that, thanks to removable blocks, it can be worn as a bracelet, pendant on the neck or attached to the clothes with a clip. The display of the smart bracelet is replaced by 12 LEDs of different colors, for various types of activity. Vibration notifies about a long absence of movement or turns on the alarm.

The “trick” of the Mistfit mobile application is reward points for user activity, which can be accumulated by swimming, running and cycling. Information about achievements can be shared in the built-in social network for gadget owners.

Misfit shine

Price: 6000 rub.

Moisture protection class: IP66

Compatibility: iOS7 / Android 4.3

Sensors: three-axis accelerometer, heart rate monitor

Display: no

Functions: pulse, pedometer, activity level, distance, sleep monitoring, fixing a workout, promoting activity

Autonomy: 4 months

Mount Type: Bracelet, Clip, Lace

Weight: 16g.

Moov now

Moov's latest multi-sports bracelet has been designed specifically for use in water. Its main distinguishing feature is a modern 9-axis sensor capable of controlling movement in all directions.

The gadget withstands pressure in 3 atmospheres and has shock protection. The program independently determines the style of swimming and analyzes the loads. By setting the length of the pool, you can get detailed information about the distance traveled and speed.

The functionality of the device is not limited only to the pool: with its help you can measure the climbs overcome by bike or jogging, make your own cross fit or strength training and store achievements in your personal history.

In addition, a minimalistic and stylish design is what sets Moov Now apart from other devices.

Moov now

Price: 5100 rub.

Moisture protection class: IP68

Compatibility: iOS 8+ / Android 4.4+

Sensors: 9-axis motion sensor (gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer)

Display: no

Functions: pulse, steps, distance, calories burned, sleep monitoring, 5 training programs.

Autonomy: 6-8 months

Mount Type: Bracelet

Weight: 24g.

Garmin HRM Swim

Swim watches are designed specifically for swimmers, and their design is thought out and "aquadynamic." The strap is firmly held on the chest, without restricting movements. The device’s characteristics include all the useful functions for swimmers: recognition of strokes, lap count and pause between distances, recognition of swimming methods and speed measurement.

This gadget is not intended for boat trips and relaxation at sea, because to accurately track the pace, distance and number of strokes per hour, you need to set the length of the pool. Also, the presence of a large number of "professional" functions limits the specifics of the device to purely sporting purposes. Therefore, beginners should carefully consider the purchase of such an expensive fitness tracker.

Garmin HRM Swim

Price: 5000 rub.

Moisture protection class: IP69

Compatibility: iOS 8 / Android 4.4

Sensors: Accelerometer, Heart Rate Monitor

Display: no

Functions: pulse, steps, distance, distance, circles, recognition of swimming styles, stopwatch, stroke frequency.

Autonomy: 18 months

Mount Type: Chest

Weight: 72g.

Polar V800 HR

This high-tech device combines all of the company's development over several years. In addition to standard features, smart watches have the function of measuring the frequency of steps, taking into account the average indicator of daily activity, the ability to memorize circles and display the degree of training load.

The electronic trainer gives tips on the training regimen and recovery process, making any activity as effective as possible.

The large monochrome screen displays up to 4 indicators at a time, and the built-in GPS and compass help calculate the route and return to the starting point.

A separate remote chest sensor is responsible for measuring heart rate, whose accuracy is 99.5% and has no analogues. The modes "led", "run", and "swimming" diversify the training process.